Pacitalia
21-12-2004, 21:56
TIMIOCATO (PPA) - Three months after a widely-supported ban on gay marriage, the government has voted by a slim majority to drop the ban and legalize same-sex unions as part of its new "Marriage Legislation Package".
The bill to drop the ban was passed by a 51.2-48.8% margin in the CLP, then by a 52.4-47.6% margin in the Senatoro. The PM signed the bill into accord two hours later.
Prime Minister Ell, who voted for the ban when it came on the table three months ago, voted for the dropping of it yesterday. He told reporters: "I know you all recall when we brought the ban legislation to Parlemento three months ago, and it was widely supported. That was because most of us agreed that we should come up with a major revamp of our marital union system to suit all people of the nation, rather than just anger one group of people while giving another what they want. A country divided was not what we were interested in."
That revamp has been completed in accordance with the Marriage Legislation Package. In addition to dropping the ban on gay marriage and legalizing same-sex civil unions, the government now recognizes same-sex and heterosexual civil unions as the official relationship. The church and its followers will still be allowed to perform marriages between a man and a woman, but they will have to still apply to the government for a marriage recognition licence.
In other words:
Civil unions are the government-preferred bond
Civil unions will have the same benefits as traditional marriage
Any two people will be allowed civil union, whether homosexual or heterosexual
Marriages are still legal and performable by the various religious groups of Pacitalia, but those who choose that path must still apply for an MRL from the government before their marriage is officially recognized
The Marriage Legislation Package goes into effect on New Year's Day 2005. That includes the lifting of the ban on same-sex civil unions.
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Comments on the new M.L.P.
"A continuing reminder to the world that Pacitalia is one of the safest, most welcoming nations around." - Liberal leader Fernando Chiovitti.
"We all share this land, so there is no reason why we shouldn't share the same rights. Kudos to the government." - Gay rights activist Flower Child II.
"Although disappointed by the decision by the two chambers of Parliament, we respect those decisions and will continue to perform marriages as we have been permitted to by our government leaders." - Archcardinal Paolo Umbriano.
"A positive step for Pacitalians and the nation as a whole." - Senior Deputy Prime Minister Nikos Karagounis.
"The notion that gays have the right to even exist on earth is preposterous. I hope the current government realizes the terrible mistake it is making." - Party d'Italiano leader Roberta Santo Paraggia.
The bill to drop the ban was passed by a 51.2-48.8% margin in the CLP, then by a 52.4-47.6% margin in the Senatoro. The PM signed the bill into accord two hours later.
Prime Minister Ell, who voted for the ban when it came on the table three months ago, voted for the dropping of it yesterday. He told reporters: "I know you all recall when we brought the ban legislation to Parlemento three months ago, and it was widely supported. That was because most of us agreed that we should come up with a major revamp of our marital union system to suit all people of the nation, rather than just anger one group of people while giving another what they want. A country divided was not what we were interested in."
That revamp has been completed in accordance with the Marriage Legislation Package. In addition to dropping the ban on gay marriage and legalizing same-sex civil unions, the government now recognizes same-sex and heterosexual civil unions as the official relationship. The church and its followers will still be allowed to perform marriages between a man and a woman, but they will have to still apply to the government for a marriage recognition licence.
In other words:
Civil unions are the government-preferred bond
Civil unions will have the same benefits as traditional marriage
Any two people will be allowed civil union, whether homosexual or heterosexual
Marriages are still legal and performable by the various religious groups of Pacitalia, but those who choose that path must still apply for an MRL from the government before their marriage is officially recognized
The Marriage Legislation Package goes into effect on New Year's Day 2005. That includes the lifting of the ban on same-sex civil unions.
-----------------------------
Comments on the new M.L.P.
"A continuing reminder to the world that Pacitalia is one of the safest, most welcoming nations around." - Liberal leader Fernando Chiovitti.
"We all share this land, so there is no reason why we shouldn't share the same rights. Kudos to the government." - Gay rights activist Flower Child II.
"Although disappointed by the decision by the two chambers of Parliament, we respect those decisions and will continue to perform marriages as we have been permitted to by our government leaders." - Archcardinal Paolo Umbriano.
"A positive step for Pacitalians and the nation as a whole." - Senior Deputy Prime Minister Nikos Karagounis.
"The notion that gays have the right to even exist on earth is preposterous. I hope the current government realizes the terrible mistake it is making." - Party d'Italiano leader Roberta Santo Paraggia.